Clients

We at the Detkin Intellectual Property and Technology Legal Clinic (“IPC”) welcome the chance to help you with your intellectual property legal issue. See “WHAT WE DO” to find out what kind of issues we handle. To become a clinic client complete our online application.

FAQs

What kinds of work do you do?

We handle transactional intellectual property work in these areas. However, the Gittis Center for Clinical Legal Studies at Penn Law also handles other areas of law. If you would like more information about the other clinics and what kinds of clients they serve, click here.

Who does my work?

All client matters are handled by law students. All work is supervised by an attorney who is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

How much does it cost?

The legal work is completed pro bono (for free). However, if your work requires government fees (for example if we file a trademark application for you), you will be responsible for paying the fee.

Where are you located?

The IPC is located within the University of Pennsylvania Law School in West Philadelphia. The entrance to the Clinic is at the corner of Sansom and 34th Street.

How do I apply?

Simply complete the online application. Once you fill out and submit an application, our administrative office will begin to review it. You should receive a confirmation of receipt at this point. IMPORTANT: The confirmation of receipt only means that we are considering your application. Unless we call you to schedule an appointment and sign paperwork with you to establish you as a client, we will not begin doing your legal work.

How will I hear if you will be able to accept me as a client?

You should hear from us within two weeks of your application that either i) we would like to schedule a meeting with you; ii) we cannot take on your case; or iii) we would like to hold on to your application for further consideration.

We apologize if we cannot take on your case. We have limited capacity. You can increase the likelihood that we can take on your case if you apply in December or August (just before the beginning of each semester). If you submit an application at any other time, we may ask to hold your application for the next semester, or for earlier action if we find we have additional capacity mid semester.

What happens after I schedule a meeting with you?

When we call to schedule a meeting between you and your Student Counselor, we may ask you to bring certain documents with you that will help us to better understand your case. At the initial client meeting, your Student Counselor will ask you to fill out certain forms about the representation. After the meeting, if we both decide that we can represent you as a client, your Student Counselor will send you an engagement letter that outlines the work we will do for you. Once you sign and return this engagement letter, we will start your work.